A swarm of Subterranean Termites arrived in the Tampa Bay area a couple of weeks ago and they will continue on and off until April. How can you prevent them from coming into your home?
One of the biggest threats to damage your home is Termites. Per year they cost homeowners and insurance companies over one billion dollars in damages per year.
Termite Swarm
Your home is most at risk during a “Termite Swarm” which usually happens during the early months of spring. In the swarm, winged termites leave their nest to mate and start a new colony.
Steps to Take for Prevention?
Moisture
Termites can’t survive without a moisture source. Any source of moisture in, on, under, or around your home gives termites the conducive conditions needed to thrive. Homeowners need to ensure that all drainage directs away from their homes. Homeowners need to repair any leaks that are present in a timely manner. Ensure the moisture release of your air conditioner unit is away from the foundation of your home.
Routine Maintenance
Homeowners should keep on top of routine home maintenance. This would include such things as, sealing any cracks in the foundation, cleaning gutters and water lines from debris, and removing any dead trees or stumps. One final step is for periodic homeowner visual inspections of the home. Homeowners should be looking for any mud tubes on the exterior foundation wall, or new damage to any wood members. If there is ever any question, contact us for an inspection.
Wood to soil contact
Since termites consume any cellulose material, wood is an ideal source of food for a termite colony. Any wood that goes into or touches the ground, is a potential access point for termites. Examples of this would be, wooden rear decks, sheds sitting on the ground, piles of firewood touching homes, and any wooden stakes that were used in the construction process that were not removed. Firewood should be away from the home and stored on a metal rack to keep wood off the ground. Cardboard boxes filled with paper and photos are a good source of food for termites. Use plastic boxes instead to store items in the attic.
Additions to your home
Any time a homeowner plans to build an addition to their home, they need to contact a termite company before building begins. We will need to treat the soil below the proposed addition to extend the termite protection barrier to the new section as well as the newly created expansion joint.
Request a FREE Pest Control or Termite Inspection today with the Professionals of Drive-Bye Exterminators.
Contact Us Today at 727-787-2127.
